So it’s about time for me to give a review of my RAM 1500 eco-Diesel.
At the time of this post, the beast has 28,760 miles on it. I’ve had it since 2021 so, I probably drive about 8500 mi/yr. So far the truck has performed flawlessly, with one exception. I’ll get to that.
Let me take you back….back to the year TWENTY TWENTY…
Why This One
I had been contemplating the purchase of a travel trailer for some time. Only thing is, one has to have a truck to pull it. Thus began the search for what kind of trailer I would like and what would be required to pull it.
After much research I narrowed my search down to the RAM line of pick-ups. widely regarded as one of the best full-size trucks on the market, The RAM 1500 seemed to be just the right fit. Price-wise the 1500 was about the top of what I was comfortable with and has a towing capacity of 12,560, WELL over the towing capacity needed for an ultra-lite travel trailer. But what sort of travel trailer would I be able to tow with it?
I did both online and dealership visits, test-drives and read reviews. Then at one dealership in my area I found the 1500 eco-diesel and after a bit of research decided that it would be the perfect vehicle – all things considered – to tow a 4000 to 5000 lb travel trailer.
Soon after the purchase of the truck we found the Dutchmen Kodiak 227BH with a dry weight of 4338 lbs. and cargo capacity of 3262 lbs. We don’t come any where near 3262 lbs of cargo in our Kodiak. Maybe 700 lbs. My RAM pick-up pulls it beautifully.
Also, I put an ‘ARE’ brand cap over the 5’7″ bed for camping and carrying cargo that I want to protect from the weather.
Here are some specs:
Here Are Some Specs:
Engine: The 2021 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel engine, which produces 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel Efficiency: One of the standout features is its fuel efficiency. The EcoDiesel engine delivers an impressive EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway for 2WD models, and 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for 4WD models.
Towing and Payload: The EcoDiesel engine provides excellent towing capabilities, with a maximum towing capacity of up to 12,560 pounds, making it ideal for those who need to haul heavy loads. The payload capacity is up to 2,040 pounds.
Interior: The cabin is spacious, with plenty of legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. This is by far the nicest vehicle that I have ever owned. I have the Limited edition so there are leather appointments and a few bells and whistles that lower models may not have, but it is quite comfortable and easy to sit for long periods while traveling.
Technology: The truck comes equipped with the Uconnect infotainment system, which includes features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available 12-inch touchscreen. Other tech features include a premium audio system, navigation, and a range of driver assistance features. This truck comes with advanced safety systems including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.
As I mentioned earlier, there are a couple of issues that have cropped up – all which were covered by the warranty.
One day while my girlfriend was driving the truck, the steering mechanism locked up and for a moment while she was turning. For a moment she was not able to steer the truck. After about 10 seconds and steering re-engaged. When she safely got to my location, I got in the truck and tried to steer it and sure enough there was a problem.
I had the truck towed to the dealership and they repaired it at no charge. That could have been a bad situation and I have never encountered such a flaw before. I assume that it was a flaw on this particular truck because it’s seemed very unusual, but we’ve not had any problem since they repaired it.
I really love this truck. I use it for a runabout here in town, and traveling with or without towing a travel trailer. I get around 27mpg without the trailer, 20 or so with. In any case, my RAM 1500 eco-diesel has performed very well so far on all counts.